|
|
Hair Salon Owner
Owning a hair salon means more than counting the
cash in the till at the end of the day. Besides
having some business savvy, you also need to
understand the basics of hair care.
"In my experience, the majority of salons have
owners who are also experienced stylists," says Lori
Wiebe. She is a stylist and a partner in a hair
salon.
Jennie Bev, editor-in-chief of StyleCareer.com,
agrees that the combination is an important one.
"There are great distinctions between a hairdresser,
who must possess technical skills, and a business
owner, whose entrepreneurial skills would determine
the growth of the business," she says.
"Ideally, a salon owner has what it takes to be able
to distinguish excellent hairdressers from mediocre
ones. This means at least he or she must have
working knowledge of hairdressing, even though
advancement is not necessary. This skill is
important in hiring the best people for the salon."
So if you want to own a salon, learn the hairstyling
side of the business first. Plan to spend
approximately three years learning your craft and
earning your license.
But while there are training programs for
hairstylists, nothing like that exists for salon
owners. So you'll have to combine your hairstyling
training with at least basic courses in accounting,
small business management and marketing.
It's crucial that you write a business plan. Not
only will this help you get started, but it can also
help keep you on course during the turbulent first
years. Be realistic in what you want to do and how
long you're willing to take to achieve your goals.
You can have an independent business or purchase a
franchise. There are some critical differences. One
of those differences is cost.
For an independent salon, the investment can be a
little or a lot. You may choose to lease or buy a
small shop, which can cost a lot. However, many
cities and towns allow home-based salons, which
don't cost nearly as much to get started. Either
way, you'll need at least $3,000 to buy equipment
(i.e. chairs, sinks, mirrors, supplies, etc.).
You must also consider the fees for registering a
business name and any business taxes that may apply.
"Sometimes it is best to start out cutting hair at a
salon on a commission basis," Wiebe says.
"You can build a clientele, which then with time
will sustain all the costs incurred with owning a
business. As an owner who is also an experienced
stylist, you know you will at least be generating
income from your own clientele."
If you choose the franchise route, the biggest
downside can be cost. A Regis franchise, for
instance, would cost a minimum of $50,000. However,
the franchiser provides many things, such as
signage, advertising, product purchasing and decor.
Another trade-off is the lack of flexibility to do
your own thing.
"The primary difference between owning a franchised
salon instead of an independent salon is that you
would need to follow the agreed terms and conditions
of the franchiser," Bev says.
"If you own your own independent salon, you're free
to experiment. Freedom is always an issue, but as a
franchise salon owner, you'd get immediate
recognition and it's also easier to market
services."
Franchises typically offer lower prices. On the flip
side, privately owned salons usually focus on
quality and personal care and will spend much more
time with each client.
Franchises often have the cash that it takes to
obtain prime retail mall locations. However,
independent salons tend to become a real part of the
community in which they are located.
Wiebe, although an independent owner, sees another
advantage to the growth of franchised hair salons.
"The spread of franchises is probably good for
stylists as individuals. It offers more options of
places to work. Typically, franchises are opened in
busy shopping malls, so there is good walk-in
traffic for a stylist to gain experience and --
potentially -- clientele."
And without clients, your business doesn't stand a
chance. So how do you build your customer base?
"The best way is through satisfied clients' word of
mouth," Bev says. "For a neighborhood salon, you
might want to get involved in the community to
spread the word about your new business."
"Hair salons are relationship businesses and nothing
can replace word-of-mouth advertising for hair
services," agrees Wiebe.
"If you have good stylists and your salon is in a
good location, you will attract clients. If the
stylists do good work and are able to connect with
clients, clientele will grow. There is no quick fix
for drumming up business."
So if you have some talent with scissors, an
entrepreneurial spirit, people skills and an
eagerness to learn, owning a hair salon may be right
for you. Just don't expect instant success.
"The first two years are probably the hardest, which
explains why many new salon owners close their
doors," says Bev. "If you encounter hardships during
that period, don't blame anybody. Accept it as a
challenge to conquer."
"Opening a hair salon takes a lot of time and
patience to see it through to being a thriving
business," says Wiebe.
"If you do not enjoy being in the hair business, it
will be very difficult for you to make it through
all of the challenges. You need to gain some
experience prior to opening a hair salon so you can
understand the business and to find out if you
really want to be a part of it."
|
 |
Net Sites |
Regis Corporation Franchise Division
Get information about franchise opportunities in
North America
http://www.regisfranchise.com/
StyleCareer.com
This site gives an overview of a variety of
beauty-related careers, including hair salon
ownership
http://www.stylecareer.com/hair_salon.shtml
Small Business Administration
Find out about the help that's available to get you
started
http://www.sba.gov/ |
|
